Jared Sullinger to miss rest of the season.

That is worst news we can receive at this momment.He will need surgery

Sorry to have to post this.

Sam

From Celtics Hub:

Breaking: Jared Sullinger Needs Back Surgery, Will Miss Remainder of Season

Incredibly, things have taken quite a different path for C’s rookie Jared Sullinger in the past 24 hours. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports broke the news with the unfortunate news minutes ago:

CH’s Take: Worst injury week ever for the Celtics? Obviously another crippling blow to the C’s chances this season with the loss of the stud 20-year-old power forward who dropped to the C’s in the draft due to these very back issues which have now come to fruition. Here was Danny Ainge talking about them yesterday on WEEI: (Via Greg Payne at ESPNBoston)

On whether Sullinger’s current back issues are related to the ones that were red-flagged prior to last June’s draft: ”Well, yeah. I think that when he was drafted with the medical reports that we had on his back, I think it would be crazy to think that there would not be some days missed… (head trainder) Eddie Lacerte and (team doctor) Dr. McKeon and (strength and conditioning coach) Bryan Doo, they spend a lot of time with Jared each day, stretching and formulating plans to strengthen his core and to strengthen the muscles around his back, because he does have management issues back there. And so I think that this is not a surprise. I guess I would say I’m a little surprised that it’s taken this long. He’s been with us since July 1 and he’s been pain-free and hasn’t missed a day of practice until the game last night when it was just sort of a freak thing. He got a rebound and his back spasmed up.”

It was much more than just a spasm unfortunately. What does it mean for the C’s? In the short term, expect Brandon Bass back into the starting lineup as was expected and increased time obviously for Chris Wilcox, Jason Collins, and Jeff Green at the four spot. Long term, this might be the injury that really pushes Danny over the top to make some major trade moves later this month.

C’s could obviously look to bring in a big at the power forward spot (hello, Kenyon Martin?) if they want to stay semi-competitive this year, but with Sullinger going down, the team’s rebounding is dealt a crucial blow they may be unable to recover from. There’s no one out there on the free agent market that could hit the glass like Sully.

Much more on this development as it comes in. CelticsHub will be reporting live from the TD Garden tonight with reaction from teammates and head coach Doc Rivers.

Talk about being snake bit! Just what we needed to hear. What now?????

What a couple of years for these young guys. Rubio. Rose, Rondo, Sully, Big Baby, and the list goes on and on.

Rosalie,

It's really difficult when you lose a player who is valuable in four different roles: low-post scoring, offensive rebounding, defensive rebounding. If Danny still believes it's worthwhile to go for it this season (and personally, I hope he does), this reinforces the likelihood that he will acquire at least one more player.

But it also means there will have to be even more instances of the remaining players stepping up:

As for scoring in general, there are several players who could contribute more, headed by Green, Terry, Lee and maybe even Wilcox.

As for low-post scoring, I'm not sure how much more can be asked of KG. Maybe Wilcox can provide a little more.

As for offensive rebounding, more minutes for Bass and Wilcox could potentially mean they'll both improve on their second-place tie at 2.3 offensive boards per 36 minutes.

As for defensive rebounding, I'm putting at least some of the extra burden squarely on a name that might surprise—Paul Pierce. He's already second to only KG among the remaining players in defensive boards per 36 minutes; and he's been showing an increasing propensity to stand tall (so to speak) in that area. He could be that "X" rebounding factor while guys like KG and Wilcox are blocking out on the defensive end. And, frankly, he's now better suited to rebound and ignite the break than to filling a lane. After making an outlet pass, he can still come upcourt as a productive trailer, which better suits his preferred loping pace.

None of these possibilities is likely to fill the void completely. I think this really enhances the possibility that Danny will deal for at least one "big"—especially for board help.

Go Celtics! Still!

Sam

Here's the official Celtics' press release:

The Boston Celtics announced forward Jared Sullinger underwent successful lumbar disc surgery today at the New England Baptist Hospital. Surgery was performed by the medical staff at the New England Baptist Hospital which is under the direction of Celtics Team Physician, Dr. Brian McKeon. Sullinger is expected to be ready in time for training camp for the 2013-14 season.

Sullinger, a 6'9" forward, appeared in 45 games for the Celtics this season averaging 6.0 points and 5.9 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game. He posted a season-high of 16 rebounds against Phoenix on January 9 and recorded a season-high of 16 points twice (November 18 against Detroit, December 25 against Brooklyn).

http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press_release/jared-sullinger-injury-update

Hi,
When it rains - it pours.
I wish Sully quick and full recovery.

AK

Listen, Let's clear the room of all the smoke and mirrors.

Pre-draft...every team had the same set of MRI's and conducted the same medical eval's. The Celtics knew going in what Sully's back problems were....Management was also advised by the world best medical staff at New England Baptist Hospital, an excerpt of the facility follows.These doctors are cutting edge.

Another point, they just don't schedule surgery all of a sudden today....... what an emergency case. No way!

They knew that he had to have this surgery sooner or later and chose now.....why....'cause Danny knew it was time to put the season behind us and look to next year with what happened to Rondo.

In a way I am glad he had it now. Would you want him going down next year and have surgery when the team may be fighting to get to the finals? Of course not! This surgery was planned out way in advance. Perhaps he was going to have this in the off season and miss part of next year, now he could be in training camp ready to go.

New England Baptist Hospital (NEBH) is a 141-bed adult medical-surgical hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, United States specializing in orthopedic care and complex orthopedic procedures. NEBH is an international leader in the treatment of all forms of musculoskeletal disorders and disease.
“The Baptist” (as the hospital is called for short) is located atop Parker Hill in the Mission Hill neighborhood within walking distance of the Longwood Medical and Academic Area.

The hospital is a teaching affiliate of both the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Tufts University School of Medicine. It also conducts teaching programs in collaboration with the Harvard School of Public Health and the Harvard School of Medicine.

112288

112288-You may be right, but this is the Boston Celtics. They can get a team together to operate in no time. This Doctor is on staff there all the time.

My only worry is.....once you have back surgery, you always have back issues.
Look at Howard (haha). I know this kid will do whatever he has to do to get himself back into shape to play next year. If this was an issue, though, why wasn't he operated on over a year ago? $$$$$$$$$$$$. That's why. Unfortunately, that is what makes the world go round.

I feel for the kid, I really do. My husband has had back and neck surgery.
He still suffers every day with pain. It just doesn't disappear.

Rosalie

Rosalie,

Dr. McKeon and New England Baptist are world cutting edge in Ortho. I trust Dr. McKeon judgement pre-draft. If it was a really serious problem I think the Celtics would have passed on Sully. I am tell all.......this operation was going to happen in 2013...probably right after the playoffs. I am sure this was all ready mapped out by the surgery team, you just don't gO AND HAVE SURGERY........what 2 days of getting back aches....under the knife unless it was critical...life or death. Besides, Sully had to have had second opinions in advance as Rondo is getting now. Again...clear the room of the BS, Smoke and Mirrors that Doc and Danny were throwing up.

Season is not over...and in fact it now gives Melo NBA time & experience and working with KG....just shortens his time to the BIG TIME NBA.

I think people could be surprised at Melo can deliver...I for one are very up beat with having Melo play.

KEEP THE FAITH!
112288

The riverboat gambler just lost the rent.

Next time stop when the light is RED.

Impact.....minimal

Dboss

My chips are on Green, I really believe he is going to be the wild card here. No
fooling around.

Sam,
I know it won't continue, but so far the captain has done what is needed from a team standpoint in the rebounding dept. Along with assists, and pts. For as much as he has been ragged on this year, I think he has done a lot of things well. Many improvements over his career stats. Shooting has been the only thing he has not done well. Even turnovers which everyone talks about especially on the other board is below his career average. Just think about it, where would we be without him?

Kenyon Martin does make sense considering the predicament ths Celtic team now is in. If Martin is able to give Boston more than 'Sheed did in 2010, the C's can make a deep Eastern Conference playoff run. The past couple of games have shown the willingness & ability of Green, Bass & Wilcox to step up. The C's need to avoid Miami in thr 1st round since Stern, Joey Crawford, Dick Bavetta and crew simply will not permit ANY 8th seeded team to knock off James, Wade and Riley's thug brigade. It is imperative the C's overtake at least the Bucks for the 7th seed.. This team will not lack effort, it may run out of gas if another adequate "Big" above the level of Jason Collins is not acquired.


MD!

112288,

I couldn't DISagree more heartily that Danny thinks it's time to put the season behind us and think about next year. In fact, I believe the nearly miraculous way in which the Celtics have come together and exhibited arguably the best chemistry of the season represent a learning experience for both Doc and Danny about what it takes for the team to succeed.

I mean, it's not coincidence that:

• in the last 3 games, the Celts have averaged 44 rebounds per game (despite losing Sully for 2 of the 3 games), compared with 40 per game for the season.

• in the last 3 games, the Celts have averaged assists on 67% of their made field goals, compared with 63% for the season (and as low as 51% in at least one game prior to the most recent 3).

• in the last 3 games, the Celts have averaged 99 points per game, compared with 95 for the season.

• in the last 3 games, the Celts have held opponents to an average of 88 points per game, compared with 96 for the season.

• Terry, Lee, Green, Bass, Wilcox Barbosa, and Pierce have all elevated their games rather dramatically—and often in terms of utilizing their specialty roles than in terms of their overall game. My personal rule of thumb is that the combination of two or three players who suddenly go in that direction are equivalent to adding a good rotation player. So, in my estimation, the Celtics may be gaining the services of at least two additional, good role players without making any moves at all.

Yeah, I know the three games have been at home and two of them were against lower-echelon teams—yada yada yada. But, regardless of the competition, (1) the team's performing better than earlier in the season against a similar competitive mix and (2) even a child could discern the difference in the chemistry, looseness, and spirit of ownership in the team and its fortunes.

While they'll never admit it, I bet that management's anticipation of Rondo's return next season has been tempered by the obviously greater freedom and heightened collaboration with which the team is operating without Rondo.

Yes, a piece or two could be gone in trade—possibly even Pierce. But I don't believe that will never happen with the sole reason of thinking about next season. I'm hoping it'll most likely involve how to improve on an already improving team. If any incoming assets involve draft picks, maybe I won't get my wish. We'll see.

Personally, I now think it's more likely that Danny will be looking at a free agent or two and/or a DL player or two to fill selected roles—notably interior defense and rebounding—with the primary reason being to improve an already improving team. I believe the performance of the current player mix is intriguing enough not to want to break them up right now, although I hope they can be augmented by newly arrived role players.

Oh, and as for their rushing the operation, why wouldn't they want to get it done a.s.a.p. when looking toward the future? I'm a New England Baptist back patient; and, if you think the Celtics have no "pull" in terms of scheduling, that's flat out incorrect.

Go Celtics!

Sam

One thing that bothers me greatly when mentioning Kenyon Martin, there has to be a reason why this guy is still sitting on his rearend, not being signed by anyone. Too much money for too little skill left in the tank. How long would it take a guy like this to get into playing shape and be a piece. I am against this move.

Rosalie

Rosalie,

Good questions. I'm a little skeptical myself. Presumably Danny will take those things into account if he's considering bringing Martin in.

Sam

I wasn't a Kenyon Martin fan. Could do some good things, but what a knucklehead. But he was actually a good influence for the Clippers last year. Nothing stellar, but he provided some grit and (gulp) veteran leadership. I was surprised when he didn't catch on with some team this year.

I have no idea if the Celtics are considering signing him, but I think he'd be worth a 10-day contract or two to see if he could help.

Sam,is this team (without Rondo)closer to the ideal chemistry?I think so,everybody is playing better and happier.They are playing better defense and they are rebounding better.

It seems that way, doesn't it? They are talking more on the court to one another, taking direction from the vets, and just seem to enjoy one another.
Sometimes it just takes time, too bad Sully isn't going to be on the court to learn and enjoy. I still feel good about this team, they just need a helping hand.

Rosalie

Why have we turned a corner? Is it Rondo's absence or Sully's, or a combination of the two? I'd argue that it's neither, that the Celtics are responding to opportunities to play and lead, and that Doc's job just got far easier because he doesn't have so many difficult lineup choices to make. Bass gets his job back, Green splits the 3 with Pierce, KG man's the center, we have three or four good guards to divvy up Rondo's considerable minutes. We'd be more formidable with Rondo and Sully and a healthy Wilcox, but all we need now is for Melo to learn quickly or to acquire another big man and we're going to be tough. Before settling for Martin or someone of that caliber, I hope Melo gets meaningful, mid-game minutes, something like Steamer last year. I know he faces a steep learning curve, but another upside to losing two starters is that no one can be blamed for experimenting. The loss of the league's assists leader and a prominent rookie starter would kill most team's chances, but Ainge built such a juggernaut that we're still very interesting. Go Celtics!

International, I don't profess to know what the ideal chemistry is. I don't believe there is one ideal. I guess there's an ideal for every different team. Right now, I believe there are some very good signs about the direction of the chemistry of the current squad, and I frankly like it much better than what we were seeing just a few games ago. However, I'm sure there's also loads of room for improvement.

Sam

Hawksnestbeach

I agree, guys that were getting short minutes are now getting long Minutes.

They are depending on themselves to make things happen.

No one could predict that Rondo would go down but Sully is another story. I sure Hope that his surgery fixed the problem but everyone that I know who has had back surgery is still having issues.

I do question the decision to draft Jared given the his well documented pre draft medical red flag that was raised. I read a lot of sound bites from Danny about how valuable draft picks are so I am not sure about the decision to potentially waste a pick on a over weight player with a bad back..

Look at Houston dboss.....Royce White. That was well documented too. This kid may never play in the NBA> I'll take my chances with Sully and hope that surgery and a good conditioning coach will help him regain strength and mobility in his back, he is so young to just write off as a mistake. A half of year of excitement, something to look forward to in the future? I'll take it.

If this is the way you are looking at it, I suppose you are against them going for Oden??

Rosalie

Dboss,

How many kids Sully's age do you know that has had back surgery? I am one of those guys with the ongoing problems since surgery as well. I was 54 with mine. A lot more problems like DDD, arthritis, etc on older people. The main thing Sully has going for him is his age. I think Sully we be a lot better long term now.